1. INZ CONFERENCE 2014 DATA MANAGEMENT FOR SMART IRRIGATION Jemma Mackenzie – Agri Optics NZ Ltd 1

2. SMART Irrigation It’s about taking what we do currently and doing it SMARTER Putting the RIGHT INPUT in the RIGHT PLACE at the RIGHT TIME in the RIGHT AMOUNT and in the RIGHT MANNER Utilising technology to achieve more ‘precise’ irrigation practices 2

3. What’s in the toolkit? GPS – Trimble, John Deere, Topcon, Leica, Raven etc. EM Surveying – EM38 & DualEM Topographic Surveying – DEM, Slope, Aspect, Landscape Change etc Variable Rate Irrigation – Precision Irrigation, PGGW/IQ, Valley, Reinke etc Data Management – tying all the info together Yield Maps – all new combines equipped, often cheap upgrade! 3

4. It’s all about building up the base data picture of what’s happening on your farm 4

5. Data Sources 5 Topography features EM Surveying Soil Moisture Probes Weather Stations

6. EM SURVEYING 6

7. What is EM Surveying? A very important layer! A map to quantify differences in ‘soil type’ across an area Used to create irrigation zones Can get accurate topography data at the same time No physical contact with the soil Measures up to 0-75cm and 0-150cm simultaneously 7 EM 0-60cm

8. EM38 generates a constant magnetic field that penetrates into the soil profile. Measures the bulk electrical conductivity of the soil profile. Responds to changes in relative amounts of: –Clay. –Salts (Electrolytes). –Rock. –Water. No physical contact with the soil. Vertical mode to 1.5m, Horizontal mode to 0.75m. EM38 – How it Works. What is EM Surveying? 8

9. What do you get from an EM Survey? A full report on differences in soil variability and topography features A better understanding of your soils and property Areas identified for closer monitoring and potential VRI zones 9 EM 0-60cmEM 0-135cm ElevationLandscape Change SlopeAspect

10. Neutron probes placed in different soil zones to enable fine tuning of management More than 100mm of WHC variation so need different management 10 EM Mapping for Irrigation Management Full Point (mm) Stress Point (mm) Zone Area Site 1187139.50.6 Site 22331783.0 Site 32281785.4 Site 42321787.2 Site 51811343.6 Site 6106700.6

11. 11 EM Mapping for Irrigation Management cont.

12.   Sites 1, 4 and 5 had highest yields in 2012   Anticipated that sites 2 and 3 would have highest yield due to heaviest soils   Over-watering occurred causing a yield penalty in zones 2 & 3   Loss of yield 3.71t/ha or $593/ha when averaged across the whole field   VARIABLE RATE IRRIGATION HAS BEEN APPLIED IN 2012 TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM!!   2012/13 & 2013/14 yields were considerably less variable & overwatering eliminated EM Mapping for Irrigation Management cont. Full Point (mm) Stress Point (mm) 2012 Wheat Yield (t/ha) EM 0.75m (ms/m) EM 1.5m (ms/m) Zone Area Site 1187139.517.564.8410.950.6 Site 223317812.319.2816.303.0 Site 322817813.268.1815.025.4 Site 423217815.587.8514.717.2 Site 518113416.485.1812.523.6 Site 61067010.003.8010.320.6

13. TOPO MAPPING 13

14. 14 EM vs. Slope

15. 15 EM vs. Slope & Probe Locations

16. SOIL MOISTURE DATA 16

17. Soil Moisture Data Any data better than none Helps make future management decision not only this season but for infrastructure development ahead Place probes in known soil types Ideally more than one per farm or even one per crop Use soil moisture data to inform not only irrigation scheduling but also other inputs such as fert timing etc 17

18. Telemetered Data 18

19. Telemetered Data 19

20. WEATHER DATA 20

21. Weather Data & On-Farm Measurement 21

22. Weather Data & On-Farm Measurement 22

23. Weather Data & On-Farm Measurement 23 Lysimeter - ECan Eddy Co-variance Tower - NIWA

24. VARIABLE RATE IRRIGATION DATA 24

25. As-applied data 25

26. Flow Rates & Volume 26

27. DATA MANAGEMENT Tying it all together, increasing efficiency, giving accountability and traceability in an ever changing environment. 27

28. Data Rich Farming All kinds of data available on farm today Helps make decisions Can start to use map nutrient & water input on a spatial level for potential future use in models Or more educated paddock or farm averages Starts to fine tune your management decisions and put $$$ around what your doing The more data the more control you have in your business! 28

29. Summary There is a wide range of data available for smarter irrigating today – don’t wait! Using the core data elements – soil type, topography, soil moisture, weather - will fine tune your irrigation mangement & increase your long term business vaibility and environmental sustainability Utilising ‘Smart Irrigation’ techniques is the way to move New Zealand’s agriculture industry forward progressively into the 21 st century 29

30. QUESTIONS?